Honors First-Year Seminar: Life Worth Living

This class is designed to help you clarify the motivations and purpose behind your education, future goals, and life overall; build community among honors students; and introduce you to the state of Ohio’s required learning outcomes for all college students (which include, among other aims, ethical reasoning, teamwork, and written communication). To accomplish these goals, we will read texts, write reflections, and participate in a range of in-class and out-of-class group activities focused on exploring three major questions throughout the term: [1] What is a life worth living? [2] What roles do community and education play in a life worth living? [3] How can I shape my life during college in a way I find meaningful? To do so, we will engage with ideas, materials, and writing throughout the term from different leaders, thinkers, and traditions in the realms of culture, philosophy, religion, science, and spirituality that provide their own, varied answers to our major course questions. We will also share our own stories and points of view with one another as we consider why life is worth living and the roles that community and education ought to play within our lives. Ultimately, through reflection, discussion, sharing, and writing, you will hone your understanding of your own values when it comes to life, community, and education; your understanding of your peers’ values regarding these issues; and your ability to articulate, demonstrate, and act upon your values.